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South Fayette Township High School expansion making progress

By Kate Drozynski For The Almanac Writer@thealmanac.Net 2 min read
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Nearly $2 million worth of work was completed on the South Fayette Township High School expansion project during July, Joe Brennan of construction manager PJ Dick said at the Aug. 16 school board meeting.

“There was a lot that went on in the month of July,” he told the board.

A snow-melt system was completed and new turf, better suited to the South Fayette school colors, had arrived and was expected to be completely installed by Friday, dependent on the weather.

Brennan and the board reviewed construction progress and change orders to the project adding up to nearly $70,000. The bulk of the cost went toward the removal of unsuitable soil and clay under the now-completed high school stadium lot, totaling $68,056.

Other unexpected costs included doors, hardware and signage. The school district also saved $9,396 when a stone layer under the middle school parking lot was deemed good enough to remain without replacement.

Also regarding the high school, the board is exploring outfitting new classrooms with the latest available interactive teaching technology. A prototype classroom will be stocked with responsive flat-screen televisions that teachers and students would be able to use as touch screens. Some existing science rooms also could be upgraded to include collaborative tables, each with its own screen to which students could connect personal devices in order to share information. The televisions have been accounted for in the budget.

Concerns were raised at the board meeting about a planned trip to France and Spain in the summer of 2017, and traveling abroad in the “current climate,” high school principal Aaron Skrbin said. So far, 20 people have signed up for the trip and would be reimbursed if the decision to cancel is made by September.

The board also recognized systems administrator Gene Manzini and administrative assistant Cynthia Geisler at last night’s meeting for their dedication to the district. Geisler has served the district for 10 years and Manzini for 40.

“They understand the tradition, pride and excellence that is South Fayette,” Superintendent Billie Rondinelli said.

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